The Kano State Government has announced a 60-day extension for the ongoing recertification of Certificates of Occupancy (CofO), giving landowners additional time to comply with the process.
Commissioner for Land and Physical Planning, Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, made the announcement during a press briefing at the ministry’s headquarters on Tuesday. He warned that property owners who fail to complete the recertification within the new window risk losing their land titles, as stipulated by existing land laws.
The original deadline, which had already been moved from January 24 to April 1, 2025, was extended again to account for the Eid holiday and to provide residents with more time. However, Umar expressed concern over the continued low participation in the exercise.
“Since the initiative was launched by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on November 25, 2024, only 241,025 properties have been registered across six major metropolitan LGAs: Nassarawa, Fagge, Tarauni, Dala, Kano Municipal, and Gwale,” he stated.
The commissioner emphasized that the enumeration and recertification exercise is essential for creating an accurate and reliable land database. Such a system, he explained, would support better planning, revenue generation, and infrastructure development by clarifying land ownership and usage.
To increase compliance, Umar revealed that the names of defaulters will soon be published in national newspapers and displayed at prominent locations including the Kano State Library, Audu Bako Secretariat, Gidan Murtala, and the State High Court.
He added that the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS) will continue to assist applicants through digital platforms, helplines, and in-person service centers to streamline the process.
Umar also announced the upcoming introduction of Sectional Titling, a new policy designed to simplify land documentation for properties within estates, shopping plazas, flats, and markets.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to overhauling land administration, he urged residents to take advantage of the extended deadline to legalize and secure their property rights.